Drapery pleat trainer



A g- 1967 D. B. GOODMAN DRAPERY PLEAT TRAINER- Filed Oct. 12. 1964 ,zwrswale. p m/41.0 3. 6929001144, W 7? I United States Patent 3,338,292 DRAPERY PLEAT TRAINER Donald B. Goodman, 6608 Brennan Ave., Canoga Park, Calif. 91304 Filed Oct. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 403,154 6 Claims. (Cl. 160-349) The present invention relates to devices for shaping or training drapery pleats and relates, more particularly, to an improved devices of this character which is adapted to establish and set the vertical folds in draperies and, further, to assure uniformity in the folds either when the draperies are gathered or extended.

It is the general practice among draper makers when cutting custom made draperies to provide for fullness in the drapes by using more material than the width of t window, door or other space they are intended to cover. This fullness is then sewed into the top hem of the drape by gathering the material at uniform intervals to form vertical pleats or folds. This procedure enables the designer to predetermine not only the number of pleats but the size and amount of fullness in each when the drape is extended to the maximum finished length of its upper hem line.

In actual practice, however, it has been found that although the pleats are well formed in the upper part of the drape, the individual vertical folds formed in extension of the sewn pleats at the top tend to become less pronounced and often indistinct toward the floor line, and they may easily become irregular or disappear entirely at the lower hem line when the drapes are extended to the maximum. This is especially true of fabrics woven from modern synthetic fibers that have a marked tendency to spring out and straighten, thus resisting attempts to produce well defined folds or creases in them.

Furthermore, it has been found that the formation and regularity of the vertical folds normally are not adequately established by permitting them to hang for a period of time with the pleats gathered and lightly tied near the bottom. In new drapes, and especially with some crease-resistant drapery materials made from synthetic yarns, the folds may form differently each time the drapes are drawn and re-opened, and whatever permanent set does form is likely as not to be irregular. Thus new drapes require some additional aid to the proper establishment of the folds, both as to shape and location, for best appearance.

A main object of my invention is the provision of device which may be removably attached to a drapery at or near its lower hem and is adapted to cause the drape to fold at the point of attachment.

Another important object of my invention is the provision of a device of the character described which is adapted to train or to set the shape of a convex fold of the drapery.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth above which is provided with spacing means adapted to establish a minimum depth of the pleats and to maintain their uniformity.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a device of the character described which is easily attached or removed without the use of special tools and without piercing or damaging the drapery material.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a pleat training device of the character described which is simple in construction and in use, is adapted to inexpensive methods of manufacture, and is re-usable without loss in efficiency.

In brief, my invention consists of a two-piece clamp assembly including a U-shaped outer or receptor member 1 3,338,292 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 which surrounds the vertical fold of a drape and is held in place thereon by an inner member of generally similar shape within the throat of the U-shaped receptor and at the opposite side of the drape, thus securing the drapery fabric between the inner and outer members.

Each of the two members includes an arcuate central wall portion of more than a half circle but less than a full circle in extent and having a side opening with a laterally extending arm at each side thereof, which arms are preferably disposed in spaced, divergent relation to each other.

Each member is formed of resilient material so that when it is installed and assembled as described above, the free ends of the arms can spring apart to divergent position in which pairs of arms engage the sides of the folds to determine and maintain the shape of the pleats at each side.

How the above and other objects and advantages of my invention are achieved, as well as understanding uses of the device of my invention, will be apparent from the following specification considered together with the references contained therein to the accompanying drawing, of which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front perspective view showing a portion of a typical drape having pleats and pleat training devices constructed according to my invention, attached at the lower hem of the drape.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the drape on line 22 of FIG. 1, showing the relation thereto of top support means for the drape at a window or the like.

FIG. 3, is a fragmentary perspective showing a portion of FIG. 1 at a larger scale.

FIG. 4 is a combined section and plan view showing a fold of drapery material between the two members of the device of my invention.

. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the two elements of the clamp assembly in operative position to engage a fold of the drapery therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional drape 10 having groups of small pleats 11 formed therein by gathering the material at regular intervals along the upper hem line and sewn together at 11a. Sewing at 11a holds the pleats in a permanent and well defined shape at that location; while below the sewing at each group of small pleats, the drape is shaped into a larger pleat or fold 12. Each fold 12 is a downward extension of pleats 11 and continues therefrom to the bottom of the drape. Pleat training devices 15, constructed in accordance with the present invention, are attached near the bottom edge of the drape, as seen substantially enlarged in FIG. 3. It will be observed that each training device 15 is at or near the lower termination of one of the vertical folds 12, the exact elevation being determined as a matter of choice when the drape is gathered in the position indicated in FIG. 1. The pleats 11 normally cause the folds 12 to form directly below the pleats; but if the folds vdo not naturally form at the proper positions or in the desired locations, the training clamps 15 correct the situation.

Drapes are usually supported at or near the top, typically by hooks attached to the drapes at the locations 11a and each engaged with a slide 16 slidably supported in a traverse rod 17 mounted on the face of a wall as shown in FIG. 2. Hanging freely from the support positions, the fabric has a natural tendency to assume a shape providing folds 12; but to assist in forming such folds and to reinforce this natural tendency, the clamps 15 are located below the support points, as seen in FIG. 2.

The construction of a clamp assembly 15, which serves to maintain the fold lines and the depth of the pleats,

3 and is self-supporting as well, is clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 which show the two parts of the device, the outer member or receiver being indicated generally at 18 and the inner member or insert by 19.

The outer member 18 consists preferably of a continuous band of tough and resilient material such as certain plastics or thin spring steel. It is formed in the general shape of a U or a yoke with a constricted throat from which two arms 20 and 21 extend divergently outwardly. An arcuate central section or bight 22 is integral with and interconnects arms 20 and 21, as can be clearly understood from reference to FIG. 4. The central arcuate section or bight extends for more than a semi-circle, but less than a circle, preferably about 270, more or less. At the locations where the arms 20 and 21 extend outwardly from the central section 22, the receptor is in effect indented so as to form the two opposing shoulder areas 23 and 24 which may be utilized to hold the inner member 19 tightly in place, as will be further explained below.

The insert member 19 is similar in shape to the outer member, as indicated in FIG. 3; but it is slightly smaller in external dimensions in order to be received inside the outer member. A slight clearance as shown between the two members may, if desired, be provided, especially in the case of thick or heavy drapes.

Each inner member 19 comprises two arms 25 and 26 integral with and interconnected by an arcuate central portion 27. Arms 25 and 26 are respectively substantially parallel to arms 20 and 21, respectively, to provide at each straight side of a fold 12 a pair of arms at opposite sides of the fabric. These arms engage the fabric to flatten it and also, by opposing each other, the arms of one member prevent the other member from twisting or turning to misalign the fold. Arms 20' and 21 are of suflicient length that they give the desired depth to the folds, when the drape is gathered. This dimension may vary from one drape to another. Arms 25 and 26 are substantially coextensive with outer arms 20' and 21, though they may be longer or shorter if desired.

In experiments conducted with models of the device, it has been found preferable to provide sufficient flexibility and spring tension in the receptor 18, together with suitable relative dimensions of the parts, so that the free ends of the arms 20 and 21 can be spread apart to admit the inner member, as indicated in FIG. 4. A relative angular attitude between arms 25 and 26 conforms better to the open folds when the drape is extended.

When viewed from above as in FIG. 4 the central portion 22 is arcuate in shape, and preferably is generally circular when in its unstressed position with the insert removed. The invention is not limited to a truly circular Shape for the central portion but this shape simplifies the device.

In use, the inner member 19 is placed inside the outer member 18, as in FIG. 3, with the drapery fabric held between them. Inner member 19 is of such external diameter that the arms 20 and 21 are spread apart and diverge outwardly at an angle of perhaps 30, more or less, when the insert is in place. This may cause the central portion 22 of the outer member to change shape and become somewhat non-circular with the longer axis along the line C-D in FIG. 4. As a consequence, contact with the inner member is most likely to be limited to the shoulders 23 and 24 and a third location between the shoulders at 29 in the vicinity of the axis CD.

It will be understood that the outside diameter of the inner member 19 may actually be somewhat less than the inside diameter of the circular section 22 of the receptor 18 to allow for the thickness of the drape material engaged therebetween. However, since it is impos sible to anticipate the thickness of all drapery material and make accurate allowance therefor, members 19 of different diameters may be supplied.

As a variation, it may be preferred to make either the inner member or both members slightly ellipsoidal in cross section at their central portions.

Any suitable means may be used to obtain greater weight if desired. For this reason, the inserts may be metal instead of plastic. Also they may be made wider, or thicker, or metal weights may be added. The extra weight is advantageous in stretching a fold to bring the bottom of the drape to a level line. This feature is especially useful in the case of drapes that have been cleaned, in which process they generally shrink by /2 inch to 4 inch, often unevenly. The weight of the trainer is enough that over a long period of time the drape can be stretched back to its original length, or irregularities in the hem line corrected.

The method of attaching the pleat trainers would appear to be obvious. It is believed the most convenient method is to attach the devices to the forwardly extending folds 12 by holding the insert member behind the material and inside the vertical fold line with one hand and with the other hand pressing the receptor member against the front face of the material and onto the insert. With the forwardly extending or convex folds established in this manner, it is usually unnecessary to install the devices on the rearwardly extended or concave folds, but in cases in which the concave folds fail to form regularly and consistently, additional clamps may be attached alternately and intermediately of the convex folds.

It should be pointed out in connection with the above, however, that the clamps are not intended ordinarily to be left in place on the draperies any longer than required to impart a definite set or disposition to fold consistently along well defined "ertical lines. When that is accomplished, the devices may be detached and re-used by the installer, or removed and discarded by the home owner.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided by my invention a simple device which may be attached to a drapery and cause the drape to fold repeatedly along the same vertical fold lines and thereby establish the size and spacing of the pleats. The pairs of arms engage the sides of a fold and hold the fabric to straighten and define the folds in the fabric along their sides as well as at the crest of the folds defined by the central portions.

It can further be seen from the foregoing that I have I provided through my invention pleat training devices which may be easily attached or removed without special tools and without piercing or damaging the drapery material.

Furthermore, it will be apparent from the above specification that I have provided by my invention pleat training devices which are so inexpensive that they may be discarded after a single use, yet are so ruggedly made that they may be re-used without loss in efficiency.

Although for the purpose of the present application I have illustrated and described my invention in the form I of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that I of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that various changes in the specific construction or relative dimensions or shape of elements of pleat training devices embodying the improvements of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scope the foregoing specification and description are regarded as being illustrative of, rather than limitative upon, the apended claims.

I claim:

1. A clamp assembly for use in forming the vertical folds in pleated draperies, comprising:

a pair of similar shaped members, each member including a single central arcuate wall portion of more than a half circle but less than a full circle and having an openingtherein at one side, the wall of said member extending outwardly at both sides of said opening to provide a single pair of arms spaced apart and extending divergently outwardly from said arcuate wall portion;

and one of said members being larger than the other to receive the one within the other with their central arcuate portions coaxial and with a thickness of a drapery between said two members;

the arms having a length greater than the diameter of the central portions and terminating in free ends. 2. A clamp assembly as in claim 1 in which the corresponding arms of the members are substanti'aly parallel to each other and are disposed at and engage opposite sides of a thickness of drapery.

3. The clamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the two arms of each member are disposed at an angle of about 30 to each other. v

4. The clamp assembly of claim 1 in which the receptor member is made of a resilient synthetic resin material.

5. A device for training vertical folds in pleated draperies, comprising the combination of:

an outer receiving member formed of resilient material, and adapted in conformation to receive therein a convexly folded section of a drapery, said member including an arcuate central portion having an axially extending opening in one side thereof;

an arm portion extending radially outwardly from each side of said opening in said central portion, said arm portions being substantially flat and diverging outwardly with respect to each other;

and an inner member including an arcuate central portion adapted to be passed between said arms through said side opening to be engaged within said central portion of said outer member to grip drapery between the inner and the outer members, said inner member also having a pair of substantially flat arms each disposed substantially parallel to the respective arms of the other member.

6. The combination with a freely hanging, top-supported drape having means establishing the upper ends of vertically extending folds at horizontal intervals, of a plurality of drapery pleat trainer clamps engaging the drape at intervals along the bottom of the drape to establish a series of horizontally spaced, vertically extending folds, said trainer clamps each comprising:

an outer member having :a central resilient arcuate portion of less than a full circle in extent leaving an opening at one side, and having a pair of straight, flat arms extending outwardly from the arcuate section, one arm being disposed :at each side of said opening;

and an inner member having an arcuate central portion receivable within the central arcuate portion of the outer member with a thickness of drapery between said members, said insert having a pair of arms disposed between and each parallel to the respective arms of the outer member to hold the drape between pairs of arms.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 642,236 1/ 1900 Larimer. 2,212,055 8/1940 Steinmeyer -348 X 2,242,355 5/1941 Harris 160-348 2,498,925 2/1950 Lind 160348 2,749,977 6/1956 Abrams 160348 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKI, Primary Examiner. HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner. P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner. 

6. THE COMBINATION WITH A FREELY HANGING, TOP-SUPPORTED DRAPE HAVING MEANS ESTABLISHING THE UPPER ENDS OF VERTICALLY EXTENDING FOLDS AT HORIZONTAL INTERVALS, OF A PLURALITY OF DRAPERY PLEAT TRAINER CLAMPS ENGAGING THE DRAPE AT INTERVALS ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE DRAPE TO ESTABLISH A SERIES OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED, VERTICALLY EXTENDING FOLDS, SAID TRANSFER CLAMPS EACH COMPRISING: AN OUTER MEMBER HAVING A CENTRAL RESILIENT ARCUATE PORTION OF LESS THAN A FULL CIRCLE EXTENT LEAVING AN OPENING AT ONE SIDE, AND HAVING A PAIR OF STRAIGHT, FLAT ARMS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE ARCUATE SECTION, ONE ARM BEING DISPOSED AT EACH SIDE OF SAID OPENING; AND AN INNER MEMBER HAVING AN ARCUATE CENTRAL PORTION RECEIVABLE WITHIN THE CENTRAL ARCUATE PORTION OF THE OUTER MEMBER WITH A THICKNESS OF DRAPERY BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS, SAID INSERT HAVING A PAIR OF ARMS DISPOSED BETWEEN AND EACH PARALLEL TO THE RESPECTIVE ARMS OF THE OUTER MEMBER TO HOLD THE DRAPE BETWEEN PAIRS OF ARMS. 